But they don't necessarily have to follow the list.

In seniority order with others that selected first fly.

Can you request last fly? At my current company we have the same thing but it seems completely arbitrary. we always joke, "if you want to fly a lot put last fly and if you don't want to fly, put first fly."

Also behind anyone who has fallen behind on their consolidation.

By default, you're requesting to fly last ie the list goes in reverse seniority order from the beginning of the month initially, then by "leveling" or how many hours you've been tasked to fly for the month already. But, just because you have someone ahead of you doesn't mean that he/she will be chosen first. If they have three R days remaining and you have five, when a four-day trip comes down, you'll be chosen.

Not sure what the algorithm is that they use but the timer starts from your sim LOE. Mine and others I've talked to showed we were constantly behind until we weren't and then we were again. When I finished consolidation at the 90 day point the only 2 flights my consolidation target changed from behind to on - time were my last 2 which amounted to about 9 hours.

It wasn't always that way.. I think when they "created" consolidated first fly they sent out an email or some form of communication saying the computer targets 100 hours in 100 days.

That is exactly the formula they just told us new guys about. They hope to get you one hour/day. If 30 days out from LOE you have 25 hours of IOE you are 5 hours 'behind.'

Lots of good info in this thread and this forum in general, but some lingering questions I can’t seem to find good answers to and this seems like a good thread to ask and consolidate them in:

-I read that Fedex is going to 7-day delivery. Will that potentially reduce the number of available DHs in the future? From reading, it sounds like a lot of DHs are to get crews either in place or back home due to weekend layovers. Just wondering if Sunday delivery means more flying on weekends, and perhaps less DHs.

-On the topic of DHs... It looks like there are a lot available, but I haven’t really been able to find anywhere that quantifies that. Would it be realistic to be able to hold DHs consistently (perhaps 1-2 times a month) by year 3 on the 76?

-Any thoughts on commutability from IAD or RIC? It looks like there are flights into/out during the week for both locations, but I have no idea if those jump seats are usually full. Do DHs ever begin or end at IAD or RIC?

-R24. I’ve seen some guys on there joke about that. Is it because it no longer exists or is rare? I get that they put you in a hotel in MEM, but wouldn’t that be better than paying for a crash pad if you’re going to have to sit reserve anyway? What am I missing...

-Finally, hub turns. Looks like those are pretty common for the domestic trips. Are you typically flying to the same location and back every night for the entire trip? Ie, MEM-IAD-MEM for the entire week?

Appreciate the help!

There is no way to answer some of your questions.

Sunday delivery, IMO-that will mostly be our cheaper shipping options and most, if not all will probably arrive Friday/Saturday morning or via truck. What impacts DHs more, in addition to specific cities fare prices, are the staffing levels and amounts of flying per bidpack. Fewer flying hours and company will switch to weekend layovers. More flying = more productivity and more DHs.

76 DHs by year 3. Nothing is ever a sure thing, but under normal Seniority progression that would be the way I would bet. (circa 2007 hires were caught by the age change and recession and were stagnant for 5+ years)

R24. Not gone, only percentage required R lines in the bid pack. In my experience, 30-50% of the time I’ve spent at home. Earlier this year had one 4 day HSBY in the month, and then the next month a 4 day & 3 day on all of my vacation reduced R24 days (of note, at that time company had been required to add R24 Penalty lines which paid at WB rates, which meant virtually No RA or RB lines)
Whether getting per diem, a hotel room, and Limo to/from work is a good thing depends on your perspective.

Hub turns, “We” produce the lines and we strive for city purity. Not always possible, and the higher block cities typically paired with the same shorter cities for the month. Think DH-SEA-MEM, MEM-BNA-MEM, MEM-SEA-MEM and then turn to BNA
As the seasons turn to Jet Stream winds, the far west cities go from 12’sh hour layovers to 23’sh